Water for Elephants [DVD] [Eng/Fre/Spa] [2011]

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Overview

Ratings & Reviews

Special Features

Exclusive Robert Pattinson Spotlight

The Traveling Show - Page to Screen

Feature Performer Reese Witherspoon

Audio Commentary

Closed Captioned

Synopsis

Water for ElephantsA handsome veterinary student falls for a married circus performer in this romantic drama adapted from author Sara Gruen's best-selling novel, and directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend). When Jacob (Robert Pattinson) meets Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), it's love at first sight -- their shared affections for an extraordinary elephant stirring profound feelings of compassion within both of them. Theirs is a love that could span lifetimes, though the wrath of Marlena's dangerously domineering husband, August (Christoph Waltz), threatens to spell tragedy for all involved. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Cast & Crew

Overall Customer Rating

4.4 (45 Reviews)

92% of customers recommend this product.

4

Great Film
Posted by: Treydle from: Saratoga Springs, NY on The story of a Depression-era orphan with an all but completed study from a prestigious university, this film centers around Jacob Jankowski. First seen as an elderly man (Hal Holbrook) Jankowski was studying to become a veterinarian when his parents died in debt after exhausting their savings to pay his tuition. With no home or money to complete his studies, Jankowski (as a younger man played by Robert Pattinson) simply abandons his home, studies, and life in search of employment. This search ended when he hopped a train utilized by the Benzini Bros. traveling circus.
After a brief stint shoveling excrement, August Rosenbluth, the man in charge, hires him as Benzini Bros. own Cornell educated veterinarian. Rosenbluth is played by Christopher Waltz who soon proves to be just as evil as he was when he was playing an SS officer. His long-suffering wife is played by Reese Witherspoon who is the star of the big top with her equestrian act and with a similar elephant act. But when the act struggles to take shape in the beginning, Rosenbluth demonstrates the brutality lying beneath his charismatic show persona by viciously attacking the elephant. He later appears sickened by his actions, but Jacob is certain he’ll repeat them and determined to prevent that from happening.
In developing the act, Marlena (Witherspoon) and Jacob become attracted to each other. While trying to keep their relationship a secret, they’re eventually found out. This and other tensions arising from the shows continuing financial struggles eventually boil over in the form of an employee insurrection, the result of which was alluded to in earlier scenes with the older Jankowski.
Whether Titanic started it or simply solidified it, Leonardo DiCaprio became the dream of teenage girls everywhere thanks to the James Cameron opus. And, as a result of that and a genuine dislike for the story and the film, I have hated DiCaprio ever since. He’s made, for the most part, quality films ever since and I’m convinced he’s so not for his career but simply to annoy me. Others would argue he has no idea who I am, but I feel that’s immaterial.
Pattinson, thanks to the Twilight series, finds himself in a similar position. With this and Remember Me he seems intent on making quality films to annoy me. Witherspoon and Waltz, while demonstrating great range with these roles, are more than adequate. The story is engrossing, the scenery spectacular, and the ending is satisfying (though I understand the book version was far more dramatic). All in all, I’d call this a superior film.

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

5

Water For Elephants
Posted by: CJWW8 from: Illinois on A great story,well told,good to add to movie collection. Kleenex may be required in some parts.

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

5

great movie
Posted by: cjseals from: Birmingham, AL on loved the movie, read the book, so I knew the movie was going to be good, best I could tell it followed the book pretty close.

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

5

Modern version of the notebook
Posted by: newuser22 from: on ... Its a classic love story based on people of the circus and the late 1930s ... its a great movie and in the past few years thats hard to say about any movie ive seen.

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

5

Excellent Movie
Posted by: PopPop from: Greater Metro Denver on Read the book and thought it had the best ending of any book ever! The movie is pretty true to the book. Excellent and a steal from the $5 bin!

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

5

Great movie
Posted by: PJM4 from: York, PA on This movie is a good story about how the circus struggled but how it over came the depression. It kept my attention the whole time, and had a great cast.

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

3

Good love story
Posted by: PossumHall from: Redding, Calif on I read the book and was quite entranced with it. Any time a movie is made from a book I like or love, I want to see it. Occasionally I am disappointed, but not this time. The movie stays true to the story. Interesting plot, although somewhat predictable. For anyone who has ever attended a circus, this shows some of the behind-the-scenes aspects of the trials and tribulations of both the manager trying to keep the circus afloat financially as well as the performers' grueling day-to-day activities.

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

5

good
Posted by: jimmy from: texas on It was Very Very very very good
I was happy happy happy to buy it for My Wife

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

4

almost as good as the book
Posted by: Tommy1420 from: Ocala,florida on Like most flicks based on a book it falls just a little bit short overall though a really good flick

0 out of 0 found this review helpful.

5

Water for elephants
Posted by: 2743633002 from: Kansas City, MO on Water For Elephants is a great movie! I was apprehensive about Robert Pattinson being in it, but I was pleasantly mistaken! Reese Witherspoon does an excellent job, as always - I am completely impressed with Water For Elephants!